Two New Business Centers are a Nexus for Student Success
by Emme Demmendaal
Tyler Richards loves business analytics. That鈥檚 the simple truth.
At 16, he was working as an intern at Keller Williams Realty, where he explored his interest in real estate and investments. By 18 and a senior in high school, Richards鈥 excitement to work in the industry pushed him to take the licensing exam and work as a real estate agent. And in the fall, he moved to Maine to pursue a business degree at the 成人直播.
In the three years since Richards (Business Administration, 鈥26) arrived on 成人直播鈥檚 Biddeford Campus after leaving his home in Templeton, Massachusetts, he鈥檚 seen 成人直播鈥檚 business programs transform into a college humming with a vibrant, entrepreneurial community.
鈥淚 have always had an interest in studying and diving deep into either the numbers or concepts behind certain areas of business,鈥 Richards said, adding that, as a linebacker for the 成人直播 football team, he鈥檚 excited to combine his love of sports and business analytics in future research and internships at the new centers.
With a head for numbers and an enterprising spirit, Richards 鈥 now a junior at 成人直播 鈥 recently jumped at the chance to work with the University鈥檚 two new business centers that launched this fall.
The centers 鈥 the Center for Sales Excellence and the Center for Sport and Business Innovation 鈥 were established to advance 成人直播鈥檚 commitment to providing cutting-edge business education and prepare students for leadership roles in the evolving business landscape, including private entities, nonprofit organizations, professional sports organizations, and manufacturers.
The momentum in the College of Business will provide him with a wealth of new possibilities, allowing him to expand his knowledge across various fields of business and better define his career focus, he said.
鈥淭he centers have connections in place, and all you have to do is just explain what it is you want to achieve with your career, and they鈥檙e going to set you down a path that鈥檚 going to be able to help you,鈥 Richards said.
Left to Right: Tom Morgan, Norm O鈥橰eilly, and Connor Blake
Norm O鈥橰eilly, Ph.D., the inaugural dean of 成人直播鈥檚 College of Business, explained that by combining practical experience, industry connections, and thought leadership, the new centers will create a hub for business innovation that will prepare 成人直播 graduates for successful careers while also contributing to the broader business community in Maine.
鈥淲hat makes 成人直播 unique is our focus on experiential learning and our ability to create niche programs that meet industry needs,鈥 said O鈥橰eilly, who can鈥檛 wait to involve students in projects like sports fan satisfaction surveys and national sales competitions.
In addition to O鈥橰eilly鈥檚 multifaceted leadership in sports business and academia, he is a partner-consultant at The T1 Agency, a Toronto-based sports marketing agency that works with high-profile clients, such as Nike, UFC, and Pepsi.
The Center for Sales Excellence is led by Tom Morgan, CLS, a veteran sales executive. With Morgan鈥檚 25 years of experience with major brands like Reebok and PUMA, students will gain a competitive edge in the dynamic world of sales and merchandising.
鈥淲e want to bring real-life sales opportunities and situations to students, helping them become interested in these career paths,鈥 said Morgan.
The new Center for Sport and Business Innovation is led by Connor Blake, MBA. It aims to prepare students for impactful careers in the global sports industry through research, internships, and job placement.
Blake鈥檚 research focus is on sports branding, with a particular emphasis on name, image, and likeness at the college level and its impacts on athletes.
鈥淓verything that we鈥檙e aiming to do in the center is student-focused, student-driven,鈥 said Blake, noting that the 成人直播 College of Business plans to work backward from student interests, aligning research projects and industry partnerships with students鈥 passions to ensure that the center鈥檚 activities are relevant and engaging for business students.
Since its inception in 2023, the college has launched new degree programs in accounting, finance, marketing, and New England鈥檚 first degree program in outdoor business and innovation. The establishment of these new centers and programs is designed to meet the needs of in-demand careers in Maine and the nation鈥檚 growing business, technology, and outdoor recreation sectors, said Gwendolyn Mahon, 成人直播 provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs.
鈥淭hese new academic programs reflect the University鈥檚 commitment to meeting evolving industry standards and workforce needs while preparing students for the dynamic challenges and opportunities they will encounter in these fields,鈥 she said.
Working with Blake, Richards will gain more hands-on experience analyzing sports organizations鈥 strategies and determining how allocating resources across various departments, like marketing, social media, and branding, impacts an organization.
Business Students Find Success Through Professional Experiences
Richards said that while it鈥檚 only the start of the second year of 成人直播鈥檚 newest college, he already anticipates gaining a competitive edge with the work he will do there this year.
鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to see how these centers will help me grow both personally and professionally,鈥 Richards said.